Aircraft dialog method including auxiliary object marker

ABSTRACT

A dialog method for dialog between an operator of an aircraft and at least one system of the aircraft including the steps of displaying on a display at least one window including a plurality of responsive objects respectively associated with one of multiple functions of the at least one system of the aircraft, moving a cursor on the display so as to designate a responsive object such that when the cursor is on the responsive object, a main object marker appears and designates the responsive object, and discretely displacing an auxiliary object marker on the display, responsive object by responsive object, so as to designate a responsive object without affecting control of the main object marker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional application of published U.S.application Ser. No. 10/062,671, filed Feb. 5, 2002, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to French Patent Application 01 02566,filed on Feb. 26, 2001, the entire disclosure of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention concerns a device for dialog between at least oneoperator of an aircraft and at least one system of the aircraft. Thissystem includes the functions which are liable to be initiated by thedialog device, under the action of the operator, so that they can beexecuted.

[0004] In the context of this invention:

[0005] “execution of a function” means, in particular:

[0006] implementing a command to an element (engine, lighting, etc.) ofthe aircraft, or a particular action;

[0007] data entry;

[0008] access to pages of information on a screen; and/or

[0009] access to additional information or actions without changing apage;

[0010] the system, e.g., a flight management device, may include“procedures” for navigation, communication, monitoring and/or flightmanagement of the aircraft, and “procedures” for managing elements suchas engines or lighting, or alarms of the aircraft.

[0011] The dialog is implemented via at least one window which isdisplayed on at least one screen, in general a screen on the flightdeck, and which is of an “interactive” type. In the context of thisinvention, “interactive window” means a window which includes responsiveobjects (points, ranges, alphanumeric values, lists, menus, etc.) whichare associated respectively with particular functions of theabove-mentioned type, and which respond to the presence of a cursor. Thecursor can be displaced by an appropriate device which can be actuatedby an operator of the aircraft, in such a way that it can be displacedto a responsive object to designate or mark it. When a responsive objectis designated, i.e., when the cursor is displaced to it, the responsiveobject is marked or highlighted, in particular by a change of appearancesuch as a change of color or increased brightness. The responsive objectis then said to have an “object marker” or “focus.”

[0012] Confirmation (using an appropriate controllable device) of aresponsive object which has such an object marker initiates theexecution of the function which is associated with said responsiveobject.

[0013] 2. Discussion of the Background

[0014] Various dialog devices which are capable of implementing thedesignation and confirmation of a responsive object of this type areknown.

[0015] In particular, from Patent FR-2 677 149, a device for reviewingthe lateral flight plan of an aerodyne is known. This known deviceincludes a designation device which is fitted with a confirmationelement, and which is connected to the processor of the flightmanagement system of the aerodyne in such a way as to obtain, on thescreen of this system, as well as the geographical representation of theflight plan which the pilot initially selected:

[0016] a responsive field associated with each point of the screen;

[0017] dynamic function ranges which are used to compose menus; thefunction which is assigned to each of these ranges can vary from onemenu to another and is indicated on the display corresponding to thisrange; and

[0018] a luminous index, the movements of which on the screen arecontrolled by the pilot acting on the designation device, in such a waythat the index can be displaced to a range or a responsive field;

[0019] the function which corresponds to this range is activated, or apoint of the area is selected, by the pilot acting on the confirmationelement.

[0020] Additionally, from Patent FR-2 743 921, a device, which is partof a global control system of an airplane, to aid in aerial navigationof the airplane, is known. This system includes, in particular, a FlightManagement System (FMS) and interfaces for dialog with the pilot,including, among other things, information display screens fornavigation and piloting, and a display and data entry console of theMultipurpose Control Display Unit (MCDU) type. This MCDU consoleincludes a keyboard which is exclusively intended for data entry, ascreen and devices to make it possible to select fields which aredisplayed on the screen and to activate the selected field to initiateoperations which are related to what is displayed. These selection andactivation devices make it possible to:

[0021] displace a cursor in a menu which is displayed on the screen, toselect a field which this menu offers; for instance, the brightness ofthis field increases when the cursor is displaced to this field; and

[0022] to activate a selected field.

[0023] Functions which are initiated in this way (designation of theassociated responsive object and confirmation) by the dialog device are,in general, functions which were planned in advance and carried out at aparticular moment during, before or after the flight.

[0024] However, it may happen during a flight (or even before or afterthe flight) that the crew of an aircraft is obliged, sometimes urgently,to carry out particular actions, i.e., is obliged to initiate executionof particular functions, which cannot be anticipated. This is in generalthe case when the pilot is alerted by various systems of the aircraft toa change in the operational situation of the aircraft, requiring him orher to deal with it urgently, e.g., dealing with a failure or generatinga response to an Air Traffic Control (ATC) message.

[0025] Now, at the moment when such a request to deal with somethingoccurs, it is possible that the pilot is in the course of initiatingexecution of another function, which may be habitual or not, and thecursor has been displaced to the corresponding window for this purpose.

[0026] In such a situation, with the dialog devices which are disclosedby the above-mentioned Patents FR-2 677 149 and FR-2-743 921, the pilothas two options:

[0027] either he or she interrupts the function which is in the courseof execution and displaces the cursor to the window which contains thenew function (e.g., an emergency function), to designate and confirm theresponsive object which is associated with this new function;

[0028] or he or she waits, before initiating the new function, until thefunction in progress has been fully executed.

[0029] Of course, neither of these possibilities is satisfactory.

[0030] It should be noted that, in the case of a dialog device such asis described in document U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,141, containing two cursordisplacement devices each of which is capable of controlling one cursor,and which are intended for two different operators (e.g., the pilot andcopilot of the aircraft), the emergency function can be initiated by theoperator who is not controlling the function which is being executed,obviously in the case that this operator is not controlling anyfunction.

[0031] The document U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,141 describes a flight deckwhich contains, in particular, multiple screens, a multi-functionalcontrol unit, two keyboards (or voice-operated systems) which areexclusively intended for data entry, and a dialog interface. This dialoginterface includes at least two identical cursor control devices, in theform of control balls or spheres, one of which is intended for the pilotand the other for the copilot. These control balls make it possible todisplace the corresponding cursors continuously on the screens, todesignate responsive objects. Additionally, in the case that twodifferent cursors designate the same responsive object, the command fromthe cursor which did the designation first has precedence, because nopriority is provided between the different operators.

[0032] However, in the case that the two operators are both in thecourse of initiating execution of functions using their dialog devices,or in the case that one of the two is occupied on other tasks, if anemergency function has to be executed, the situation is the same asbefore, with the same dilemma, i.e., whether to interrupt the functionin progress and initiate execution of the emergency function, or toterminate the function in progress before initiating execution of theemergency function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] This invention concerns a dialog device which is of the typedescribed above, and which makes it possible to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks. For this purpose, according to the invention,the device for dialog between at least one operator of an aircraft andat least one system of the aircraft, the dialog device including:

[0034] at least one screen which is capable of displaying at least tworesponsive objects on at least two interactive windows, each of saidresponsive objects being associated with one of multiple functions, thefunctions being capable of being initiated by the dialog device underthe action of the operator so that they are executed; and

[0035] at least one cursor control device, which is arranged so that itcan be actuated by the operator, and which includes at least:

[0036] one actuatable displacement means, which is capable of displacinga cursor on a window, to designate a responsive object by making a mainobject marker appear; and

[0037] one actuatable confirmation means, which is capable of confirminga responsive object which has the main object marker, to initiateexecution of the function which is associated with the responsiveobject,

[0038] is notable in that it includes, additionally, auxiliary controlmeans which are arranged in such a way that they can also be actuated bythe operator, which are intended to control an auxiliary object markerwithout affecting control of the main object marker, and which include:

[0039] at least one actuatable displacement element, making it possibleto cause a discrete displacement of the auxiliary object marker,responsive object by responsive object, on an interactive window; and

[0040] at least one actuatable confirmation element, making it possibleto confirm a responsive object which has the auxiliary object marker, toinitiate execution of the function which is associated with theresponsive object.

[0041] Thus, when, during execution of a particular function (which hasbeen controlled in the usual way by designating and confirming aresponsive object using the cursor control device controlling thecursor), another function, in particular an emergency function, must beexecuted, the operator (who has access to both of the cursor controldevice and the auxiliary control means), can initiate execution of thisother function using the auxiliary control means, since the auxiliaryobject marker which is controlled by them does not affect the controlwhich is carried out using the cursor and the main object marker.

[0042] Consequently, the second function (e.g., an emergency function)can be executed without having to interrupt the execution in progress ofthe first function (e.g., a usual function which was planned inadvance), the two executions being controlled by the same operator.

[0043] Additionally, since the auxiliary object marker is subjected todiscrete displacement, it being possible to carry out such a discretedisplacement in a precise manner in any situation, in particular whilethe aircraft is being shaken, execution of an emergency function can,thanks to the invention, be carried out whatever the phase and/orconditions of flight, and in particular when the aircraft is in an areaof turbulence.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary control means are fittedin a separate, specific box, which has keys, and the displacement andconfirmation elements (to control the auxiliary object marker) are thekeys of this specific box.

[0045] In another embodiment, the elements for displacement andconfirmation of the auxiliary control means (to control the auxiliaryobject marker) can be the keys of an ordinary keyboard which enables theoperator to enter data.

[0046] Additionally, in a particular variant, to reduce the spacerequirement, the cursor control device is not an independent device, butis also formed by some of the keys of the keyboard. Thus, in this case,the (only) keyboard is used simultaneously:

[0047] to enter data into the system;

[0048] to control the auxiliary object marker; and

[0049] to control the cursor (i.e., the main object marker).

[0050] To do this, different combinations of keys of the keyboard aresimply used to carry out, respectively, the different tasks.

[0051] Additionally, to facilitate the designation of responsiveobjects, in an advantageous embodiment, the responsive objects arearranged in at least one direction which is defined with respect to theinteractive window, e.g., vertically or horizontally, and the auxiliarycontrol means include at least one displacement element whichcorresponds to a direction arrow which makes it possible to displace theauxiliary object marker from one responsive object to another,responsive object after responsive object, following the defineddirection in a certain way.

[0052] Additionally and advantageously, the cursor control device andthe auxiliary control means are formed such that control of the mainobject marker by the cursor control device has priority over control ofthe auxiliary object marker by the auxiliary control means when the twomarkers, main and auxiliary, are on the same interactive window.

[0053] In a first embodiment, the cursor control device causes, in theusual way, a continuous displacement of the cursor on the interactivewindow, whereas, in a second embodiment, the cursor control devicecauses, also in the usual way, a discrete displacement of the cursor onthe interactive window.

[0054] Additionally, to provide great flexibility of use and increasethe operator's comfort in the execution of his or her tasks, the dialogdevice according to the invention can include two cursor control deviceswhich are arranged in such a way that they can both be actuated by theoperator, one of the cursor control devices causing continuousdisplacement of the cursor and the other causing discrete displacementof the cursor.

[0055] Additionally and advantageously, the cursor control deviceincludes means for displacing the cursor from window to window and, whenthe dialog device includes at least two screens, a means for displacingthe cursor from screen to screen. Preferably, each screen includesmultiple fields, and displacement of the cursor from field to field isimplemented in such a way that displacement from a first window to asecond window is obtained indirectly by displacement of the cursor fromthe last field of the first window to the first field of the secondwindow.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the dialog device includes two cursorcontrol devices and two sets of auxiliary control means, one cursorcontrol device and one set of auxiliary control means being intended forthe pilot of the aircraft, and the other cursor control device and theother set of auxiliary control means being intended for the copilot ofthe aircraft.

[0057] This invention also concerns an aircraft system as above, whichis notable in that it includes the dialog device according to theinvention, to allow a dialog with an operator, in particular a pilot, ofthe aircraft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

[0059]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dialog device according to theinvention which is associated with a system of an aircraft;

[0060]FIG. 2 represents schematically a keyboard of a dialog deviceaccording to the invention;

[0061]FIG. 3 shows a set of keyboard keys which are used to control anauxiliary marker; and

[0062]FIGS. 4 and 5 show schematically active windows with responsiveobjects, making it possible to explain the priority control mode whichis provided according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,the present invention will be described.

[0064] The dialog device 1 according to the invention and representedschematically in FIG. 1 is placed on board an aircraft (not shown),preferably a civil transport airplane, and is preferably arranged on theflight deck of the aircraft. This dialog device 1 is intended to allowdialog between at least one operator of the aircraft, in particular apilot, and a known system, e.g., a flight management system (not shown).

[0065] The dialog device 1 is associated with an assembly 2 whichincludes a computer 3 and multiple screens E1 to E8 which are linked,via links e1 to e8 respectively, to the computer 3.

[0066] In the preferred (but not exclusive) embodiment, which isrepresented in FIG. 1, the assembly 2 is partly divided into two, onepart of the system being intended for the pilot, e.g., the left part 4A,and the other part (the right part 4B) being intended for the copilot.With such a distribution, preferably, screens E1 to E3 are intended forthe pilot, screens E6 to E8 for the copilot, and screens E4 and E5 arecommon to both.

[0067] Screens E1 to E8, which are of the known Liquid Crystal Display(LCD) type, each include at least one display window F.

[0068] Each of the display windows F is a so-called “interactivewindow,” i.e., a window which includes responsive objects (points,ranges, alphanumeric values, lists, menus, etc.) which can be designatedor marked by an object marker main (object) marker M1, auxiliary(object) marker M2, each of the responsive objects OS being associatedwith a particular function. The appearance of the main marker M1 on aresponsive object OS can be caused by controlling a cursor CU which canbe displaced by a cursor control device 5. The dialog device 1 includestwo identical devices 5, one of which is part of a set of controls 6A ofthe pilot and the other is part of a set of controls 6B of the copilot.The cursor control devices 5 are linked via links 7 to the computer 3.

[0069] Operating one of the devices 5 makes it possible to displace thecursor CU in such a way as to take it onto a responsive object OS todesignate it, i.e., to make the main marker M1 appear, as shown in FIG.5. When a responsive object OS is designated using the cursor CU, it isthen marked or highlighted, in particular by a change of appearance suchas a change of color or increased brightness. The corresponding changeof appearance of the main marker M1 is indicated by a thicker outline ofthe responsive object OS in FIG. 5. Execution of a function which isassociated with a responsive object OS is initiated by confirmation(using a device 5) of the responsive object OS, which has previouslybeen designated by the cursor CU (i.e., it has the main marker M1).

[0070] According to the invention, the dialog device 1 includes,additionally, auxiliary control means 8, which are linked by a link 9 tothe computer 3, which are arranged so that they can also be actuated bythe operator, which are intended to control the auxiliary marker M2without affecting control of the main marker M1, and which include forthis purpose:

[0071] at least one actuatable displacement element, as defined below,making it possible to cause a discrete displacement of the auxiliarymarker M2, responsive object OS by responsive object OS, on aninteractive window F; and

[0072] at least one actuatable confirmation element, as defined below,making it possible to confirm a responsive object OS which has theauxiliary marker M2, in such a way as to initiate execution of thefunction which is associated with the responsive object OS.

[0073] In the example which is shown in FIG. 1, each set of controls 6Aand 6B includes such auxiliary control means 8.

[0074] Thus, when, during execution of a particular function (which hasbeen controlled in the usual way by designating and confirming aresponsive object OS using the cursor control device 5 controlling thecursor CU), another function, e.g., an emergency function, must beexecuted, an operator (the pilot or copilot) who has access to both ofthe cursor control device 5 and the auxiliary control means 8, caninitiate execution of this second function using the auxiliary controlmeans 8, without affecting the function in progress, since the auxiliaryobject marker M2 which is controlled by them does not affect the controlwhich is carried out using the cursor CU.

[0075] Consequently, the second function (e.g., an emergency function)can be executed without having to interrupt the execution in progress ofthe first function (e.g., a usual function which was planned inadvance), the two executions being controlled by the same operator.

[0076] Additionally, since the auxiliary marker M2 is subjected to adiscrete displacement, it being possible to carry out such a discretedisplacement in a precise manner in any situation, in particular whilethe aircraft is being shaken, execution of an emergency function can,thanks to the invention, be carried out whatever the phase and/orconditions of flight, and in particular when the aircraft is in an areaof turbulence.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary control means 8 includekeys 11A to 11D, which are shown in FIG. 3 and are part of a separate,specific box (not shown).

[0078] Each of the sets of controls 6A, 6B also includes a normalkeyboard 10 which is shown in FIG. 2, and includes keys 11 which enablean operator to enter alphanumeric data into the computer 3.

[0079] Additionally, in a particular embodiment, the auxiliary controlmeans 8 include keys 11A to 11D, some of which (e.g., keys 11A, 11B and11C in the example of FIGS. 2 and 3), or even all, are part of thekeyboard 10. It is thus unnecessary to provide an independent box toimplement this invention, i.e., to form the auxiliary control means 8which are intended to control the auxiliary marker M2.

[0080] In the example shown in FIG. 3:

[0081] keys 11A to 11C represent the displacement elements, i.e., theyare intended to displace the auxiliary marker M2 on an interactivewindow F;

[0082] key 11D is used to displace the auxiliary marker M2 from onescreen to another, preferably cyclically; it can also be used todisplace the auxiliary marker M2 from one window F to another window F,in the case that a screen includes more than one window; and

[0083] key 11E represents the confirmation element.

[0084] According to the invention, on at least some of the windows F,responsive objects OS are available in a suitable form for the keys ofthe auxiliary control means 8 (whatever they are: keys of a specific boxor particular keys 11 of the keyboard 10), and are used for discretedisplacement of the auxiliary marker M2 from one responsive object OS toanother.

[0085] In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the responsive objects OS arearranged in columns C1 to C3 and rows L1 to L5, in such a way that thedirection arrow keys “←”, “↑”, “↓” and “→” are sufficient to control thedisplacement of the auxiliary marker M2.

[0086] If the responsive objects OS are arranged according to a singledirection (row or column), two keys may be enough, e.g. “←” and “→” inthe case of arrangement in a row and “↑”0 and “↓” in the case ofarrangement in a column, making it easier to control displacement of theauxiliary marker M2.

[0087] According to the invention, for each set of controls 6A, 6B, thecursor control device 5 and the auxiliary control means 8 are formedsuch that control of the main object marker M1 by the cursor controldevice 5 has priority over control of the auxiliary object marker M2 bythe auxiliary control means 8 when the two markers, main and auxiliary,are on the same interactive window F, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5,making it possible to simplify the use of these two control means 5 and8.

[0088] In FIG. 4, the responsive object OS, which is in position C2-L4,has the auxiliary marker M2 (shown by hatching). This responsive objectOS can thus be confirmed by the confirmation means 11E of the auxiliarycontrol means 8, and the function which is associated with it can thenbe executed.

[0089] The cursor CU is not in this interactive window F.

[0090] When the cursor CU is displaced on this interactive window F,e.g., to designate the responsive object OS at position C2-L4, the mainmarker M1 appears on this responsive object OS and the auxiliary markerM2 disappears, although it has not been displaced (to illustrate thissituation, the (inactive) presence of the auxiliary marker M2 isindicated by hatching with broken dashes).

[0091] Additionally, if the cursor CU, and thus the main marker M1,again leave this interactive window F, the auxiliary marker M2reappears, obviously if it has not been displaced meanwhile, and canthen be used to activate the function which is associated with theresponsive object OS of this position C2-L4.

[0092] According to the invention, the cursor control device 5 is adevice which includes, in the usual way, means (not shown), making itpossible to:

[0093] displace the cursor CU on an interactive window F to designate aresponsive object OS;

[0094] displace the cursor CU from screen to screen and/or from windowto window; and

[0095] confirm a responsive object OS, which is designated by a cursorCU in such a way as to initiate execution of the function which isassociated with the responsive object OS.

[0096] According to the invention, in a first embodiment, the cursorcontrol device 5 is in a form such that it causes, in the usual way, acontinuous displacement of the cursor CU on the interactive window F,whereas, in a second embodiment, the cursor control device 5 is in aform such that it causes, also in the usual way, a discrete displacementof the cursor CU on the interactive window F.

[0097] In this second embodiment, in a preferred variant, the device 5for controlling the cursor CU is not a specific device, but is simplyformed from some of the keys 11 of the keyboard 10.

[0098] In this case, the keyboard 10 can be used simultaneously:

[0099] to enter data into the system 1;

[0100] to control the main marker M1; and

[0101] to control the auxiliary marker M2.

[0102] To do this, different combinations of keys 11 of the keyboard 10are simply used to carry out, respectively, the different tasks.

[0103] Additionally, in a third embodiment, each set of controls 6A, 6Bincludes, as well as the cursor control device 5, another cursor controldevice 12 which is linked via a link 13 to the computer 3, as shown bybroken dashes in FIG. 1, and which also makes it possible to control(designate and confirm) the cursor CU.

[0104] In this case, each of the operators (pilot, copilot) hasavailable two devices 5 and 12 to control the cursor CU, so that in thecase of a failure of one of his or her control devices 5 and 12, he orshe can still use the other control device to initiate execution offunctions, which of course increases the reliability of said dialogdevice 1.

[0105] Preferably, one of the devices 5 and 12 is in a form which causesa discrete displacement of the cursor CU, and the other is in a formwhich causes a continuous displacement of the cursor CU. Since eachoperator (pilot, copilot) thus has available two control devices 5 and12, which are complementary but different from each other, he or she canchoose whichever is more convenient (either throughout the flight, ortemporarily depending on phases and/or conditions of flight), to controlthe cursor CU, which provides great flexibility of use and increases thecomfort of the pilot and copilot in the execution of their tasks.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dialog method for dialog between an operator ofan aircraft and at least one system of the aircraft, comprising thesteps of: displaying on a display at least one window including aplurality of responsive objects respectively associated with one ofmultiple functions of the at least one system of the aircraft; moving acursor on the display so as to designate a responsive object such thatwhen the cursor is on the responsive object, a main object markerappears and designates the responsive object; and discretely displacingan auxiliary object marker on the display, responsive object byresponsive object, so as to designate a responsive object withoutaffecting control of the main object marker.
 2. The dialog methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: activating a functionassociated with the responsive object designated by the main objectmarker; and activating a function associated with the responsive objectdesignated by the auxiliary object marker.
 3. The dialog methodaccording to claim 2, wherein the step of discretely displacing theauxiliary object marker and the step of activating the functionassociated with the responsive object designated by the auxiliary objectmarker is performed with keys on a separate stand-alone unit.
 4. Thedialog method according to claim 1, wherein the responsive objects arearranged according to at least one direction defined on a correspondingwindow, and wherein the method further comprises the step of discretelydisplacing the auxiliary object marker from one responsive object toanother responsive object in the at least one direction.
 5. The dialogmethod according to claim 1, wherein the main object marker has priorityover the auxiliary object marker such that when the main object markerand the auxiliary object marker are on a same responsive object, themain object marker appears.
 6. The dialog method according to claim 1,wherein the step of moving the cursor causes the cursor to move in acontinuous manner on the display.
 7. The dialog method according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one window includes a plurality ofwindows, and wherein the step of moving the cursor moves the cursordiscretely from one window to another window in the plurality ofwindows.
 8. The dialog method according to claim 1, wherein the displayincludes a plurality of displays, and wherein the step of moving thecursor moves the cursor from one display to another display in theplurality of displays.
 9. The dialog method according to claim 1,wherein the step of discretely displacing the auxiliary object marker isactivated during an emergency mode of the aircraft.
 10. A dialog methodfor dialog between an operator of an aircraft and at least one system ofthe aircraft, comprising the steps of: displaying on a display at leastone window including a plurality of responsive objects respectivelyassociated with one of multiple functions of the at least one system ofthe aircraft; activating a main object marker appearing on a responsiveobject so as to initiate execution of a corresponding function of the atleast one system; and activating an auxiliary object marker appearing onthe responsive object so as to initiate execution of anothercorresponding function of the at least one system without affecting thecorresponding function executed by activating the main object marker.11. The dialog method according to claim 10, further comprising: movinga cursor on the display so as to designate a responsive object such thatwhen the cursor is on the responsive object, the main object markerappears and designates the responsive object; and discretely displacingthe auxiliary object marker on the display, responsive object byresponsive object, so as to designate a responsive object withoutaffecting control of the main object marker.
 12. The dialog methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising: activating a functionassociated with the responsive object designated by the main objectmarker; and activating a function associated with the responsive objectdesignated by the auxiliary object marker.
 13. The dialog methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the step of discretely displacing theauxiliary object marker and the step of activating the functionassociated with the responsive object designated by the auxiliary objectmarker is performed with keys on a separate stand-alone unit.
 14. Thedialog method according to claim 10, wherein the responsive objects arearranged according to at least one direction defined on a correspondingwindow, and wherein the method further comprises the step of discretelydisplacing the auxiliary object marker from one responsive object toanother responsive object in the at least one direction.
 15. The dialogmethod according to claim 10, wherein the main object marker haspriority over the auxiliary object marker such that when the main objectmarker and the auxiliary object marker are on a same responsive object,the main object marker appears.
 16. The dialog method according to claim10, wherein the step of moving the cursor causes the cursor to move in acontinuous manner on the display.
 17. The dialog method according toclaim 10, wherein the at least one window includes a plurality ofwindows, and wherein the step of moving the cursor moves the cursordiscretely from one window to another window in the plurality ofwindows.
 18. The dialog method according to claim 10, wherein thedisplay includes a plurality of displays, and wherein the step of movingthe cursor moves the cursor from one display to another display in theplurality of displays.
 19. The dialog method according to claim 10,wherein the step of discretely displacing the auxiliary object marker isactivated during an emergency mode of the aircraft.